- The enemy's success in smuggling a spy through the lines places the Stratiria armies in a dangerous position. The spy is intercepted and killed by Pettrus Baariot, the telegraph operator, who then succeeds in sending a message that saves the Stratiria forces from defeat. For his heroism, Pettrus is promised a promotion, but after his recovery from his severe wounds, he is humiliated through the treachery of Danick Rysson, a government official who desires to marry Floria Natarre, Pettrus' beloved. Bitter, Pettrus listens to the overtures of one of the enemy and steals the new telegraph code. Soon after Pettrus is again made an ardent supporter of his country when he is awarded his promotion. He then follows the spy to the frontier and recovers the crucial document.—Pamela Short
- The principality of Statiria is at war with a neighboring nation. Pettrus Baariot is assigned to duty as telegraph operator on the firing line. His chief, Danick Rysson, envies him so keenly that his passion turns to hate. Floria Natarre, daughter of the head of the secret service, is in love with Baariot and Rysson designs to win this love while Baatiot has gone. Luella Byrsk, paramour of Rysson, jealous, watches his every move. Thus matters stand after Baariot has gone off to report. There he distinguishes himself and wins high praise from his government. Baariot, wounded, is first sent to the hospital and ordered home as soon as he is in condition to make the journey. Rysson makes advances to Floria and is repulsed. Great is Floria's joy when Baariot is sent home on sick leave to recuperate. The government sends an order to Rysson that he shall assign Baariot to "light duty," but Rysson changes it so that Baariot is degraded to the position of messenger for Rysson's dispatches. Baariot becomes resentful against his government. He tells his troubles to Rodant Keestelt, who, pretending to be a tobacconist, is a spy in the enemy's service. Keestelt seeks a copy of the new telegraph code and urges Baariot to procure it for the enemy's use, promising Baariot a rich reward, enough to permit the traitor to marry Floria and spend the rest of his life in America. Baariot yields but on the instant he delivers the code his conscience smites him and he disdains the reward. Gergus Natarre, of the secret service, who knows of Baariot's treachery, begs his prospective son-in-law to undo the great wrong he has committed against his country and recover the code. At the instant Baariot is leaving to overtake Keestelt, the minister of war calls upon him to confer a belated decoration, the reward of his government for Baariot's great bravery. Through a mistake a bestowal of the honor has been overlooked. Luella Brysk has betrayed Rysson's treachery toward Baariot and an apology from the government comes with the honors the minister of war is empowered to confer, Baariot dashes away in an automobile to overtake Keestelt. Gergus Natarre has been struck down by Keestelt's motor when the secret service chief attempts to capture the spy and recover the code. Natarre is taken to a hospital where, by strange fate, Baariot is soon brought in and placed in a cot beside the only man who now knows of his treachery. Baariot had overtaken Keestelt in his automobile. When a struggle ensued Keestelt's machine was precipitated over a bluff and the spy was killed. The code was recovered by Baariot who escaped more than the severe injuries that brought him to the hospital. The two men swear secrecy and leave the way open to a happy ending of the narrative.
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